And so it begins...

Have you ever asked yourself how you ended up where you are? Or wondered where the time went? Or if it's too late to reinvent yourself? Have you ever driven yourself crazy with the "Shouldawouldacoulda" and "If only" thoughts? Here are a few of mine:

If only I had time to be creative.
If only I could quit my day job and be an artist.
If only I had space in my house to be creative.
If only I worked for myself and could hold meetings on my porch or work on projects at my favorite coffee shop.
If only I could be a wedding photographer or a food photographer.
If only I had a nice camera, then I'd be really good.
I could have been an actor if I had put my mind to it.
I should have stuck with drawing. If I had, I would have been really good. And could have maybe, possibly made a living at it.
I shouldawouldacoulda made a living as an artist, but I don't really know what kind of artist or where to begin.
I shouldawouldacoulda made a living as an artist, but now it's too late.

These are just some of the thoughts that have whispered in my ear over the years, sometimes more loudly than other times. Recently, the whispers got so loud that I could ignore them no longer. And a few daydreams popped into my head that for whatever reason seemed doable:

Wouldn't it be cool if I actually DID IT? Why not?
Wouldn't it be cool if I made a commitment to finding my creative voice? Why not?
Wouldn't it be cool if I envisioned the creative life I want and took steps towards making it happen, one small step at a time? Why not?
Wouldn't it be cool if I didn't worry about the goal and just enjoyed the process? Why not?
Wouldn't it be cool if I could connect with other people who are on the creative path, looking for where they belong? Why not?
Wouldn't it be cool if I chronicled the process in a blog? Why the heck not?

Which brings me here. To a new inspired and hopeful place. Where the "Shouldwouldacoulda's" and the "If only's" have lost their voice and have been replaced with "Wouldn't it be cool if's" and "Why not's".

So pull up a chair, grab a tasty hot beverage, your comfiest slippers, and your beautiful imaginations. And join me on this journey. I think we'll discover that we're not alone in our hopes, dreams, and fears.

Let's begin.

What are your "Shouldwouldacoulda's" and "If only's"? How do you work through those doubts? And how are you turning your "Wouldn't it be cool if's" into reality?

Comments

[Brené Brown]

love this! i'm going to practice "why nots?" today!

[Liz Heichelbech]

Yes and yes and yes. Have you read "Refuse to Choose" by Barbara Sher? It's about multi-talented creative people who are interested in more than one thing. She calls them "Scanners" and says that we don't have to choose just one thing and run with it, and that we don't have to be commercially successful to be a success. It is one of the most inspirational books I've ever read. I'd love to hear what you think of it. Thanks for writing!
Liz

[darrah]

Thanks for the suggestion, Liz. I will definitely check it out!

[Matt Ciavarella]

Darrah, I don't know how many times I've read and reread this (the other posts too) in the past few days. I got the link from the comments you posted in Dayna's Facebook note last week. Honestly, I don't think it could have come at a better time--the stuff you're addressing in this blog is right there front and center in my life too, and it's such a relief to know that I'm not alone. Thank you so much for this!!

[christy betit]

Darrah-

This is so fantastic! The photos, and the design, and the feel of the whole blog is filled with joyful energy just like you :) I feel inspired to do my own blog. It seems like lots of work, but incredibly rewarding as well. I loved your interview with Joy Rebel. And I plan to buy the Pema Chodron book Comfortable with Uncertainty. I too am attempting to embrace my inner artist and entrepreneur (I'm writing short stories, taking photographs, and directing theatrical pieces with children), and it takes a remarkable amount of courage to make that foray into the world. It's comforting to read about and know that others are struggling with the same fears. So cheers to you and this wonderful resource you are creating for artists. It's inspiring!

Love, love, love to you,

Christy